LSO Road Trip Around the Province

Join the LSO team for our hybrid road trip around the province!

Each session will explore 5 specific ecosystems in Ontario to find out what the Life Sciences sector looks like in their region, what makes their region unique, and what resources are available. This year, we have 3 in-person options available along with virtual opportunities to attend for all 5 days.

Agenda:

• Monday, September 16th – Halton Region – In-Person and Virtual Options Available
• Tuesday, September 17th – London – Virtual Only
• Wednesday, September 18th –  Waterloo – In-Person and Virtual Options Available
• Thursday, September 19th – Sarnia – Virtual Only
• Friday, September 20th – Belleville – In-Person and Virtual Options Available

**See below for additional details/location on each day.

Halton Region - Monday, September 16th 

How Collaboration Fuels Innovation in Life Sciences

The aim of this tour is to highlight the significance of collaboration in the life science industry by showcasing the interconnected ecosystem of the Halton Region. Through networking, presentations, and discussions, participants will gain valuable insights into how partnerships and community engagement drive innovation and growth. The tour will include two stops: TechPlace, Burlington’s Innovation Hub, and n!Biomachines, which develops and manufactures fit-for-purpose bioreactors. This tour demonstrates firsthand the cutting-edge advancements and fosters a deeper understanding of the benefits and opportunities within this vibrant community.

Who Should Attend:

• Life science professionals
• Entrepreneurs and startups
• Researchers and academics
• Investors and venture capitalists
• Industry leaders and policymakers

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the importance of collaboration in the life sciences sector.
• Gain insights into the Halton Region’s interconnected ecosystem.
• Learn how to benefit from this innovative community.
• Network with industry experts and peers.
• Explore cutting-edge developments

Agenda:

Stop 1-TechPlace, 5500 North Service Road, Suite 801

TechPlace is a vibrant and collaborative innovation hub in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. We are a community of entrepreneurs, mentors, investors and program partners who share a common goal: drive innovation and grow successful companies.

8:30 am: Networking Breakfast
9:30 am: Presentations
9:45 am: Panel Discussion
11:00am Depart

Stop 2 - n!Biomachines, 649 North Service Rd, Burlington, ON L7P 5B9

n!Biomachines develops fit-for-purpose biomachines which are affordable, easy-to-operate bioreactor systems for bioprocesses from benchtop to industrial-scale.

11:30 am: Presentation
12:00 Tour of the facility
1:00 pm Depart

LONDON - Tuesday, September 17th 

The Life Sciences London ecosystem is a vibrant and dynamic community driven by collaboration between academic and health institutions, research facilities, and the private sector. Key players in this ecosystem include BioNext, TechAlliance, London Economic Development Corporation (LEDC), Western Research Parks, the Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship, Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), SWO Angels and more. These organizations work together to foster innovation, support startups and established businesses, and promote growth in various life sciences sectors.  

Join us to hear about our local Life Sciences Ecosystem and the various supports that are available.

Panelists:

• Justin Leushner, Director, Life Sciences London
• Sydney Robinson, CEO and Co-Founder, Vessl Prosthetics Inc.
• Rob Arntfield, CEO, Deep Breathe
• Norm Tiffin, President & Managing Partner, GFR90

WATERLOO - Wednesday, September 18th

Event Date: September 18, 2024

NEW Location: University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy, 10A Victoria Street South, Kitchener.

Waterloo talent and startup community fuel life science innovation

The Region of Waterloo is the fastest growing metropolitan area in Canada and is home to over 1,000 startup companies. The University of Waterloo is at the center of this innovation ecosystem that includes incubators, accelerators, and tens of thousands of companies spanning all sectors. As Canada’s #1 comprehensive research university, Waterloo’s strength is supported by industry partnerships, creating opportunities to further Canada’s economy across all industries.

In partnership with Life Sciences Ontario, University of Waterloo Co-operative and Experiential Education is excited to invite you to the University of Waterloo's Health Sciences Campus in vibrant downtown Kitchener. Join us for breakfast followed by an exciting discussion. Our panel of local life science leaders will explore how the innovation community is driving growth in the Region. You’ll learn about the role Velocity plays in supporting the ecosystem and how to leverage the University of Waterloo’s co-op talent for your company’s success.

About the hosts:

•       Co-operative and Experiential Education at Waterloo helps students bridge their academic and workplace knowledge. More than 8,000 employers from 65+ countries have tapped into the value of co-op students from waterloo. With more than 25,000 students from 120+ programs, we’re Canada’s leading institution for experiential learning.
•       Velocity is part of what makes Waterloo the #1 university in Canada for entrepreneurs. Since 2008, it has supported over 400 companies, helping them raise more than USD 26B+ in enterprise value. Velocity helps founders build scalable companies that transform industries, fostering greater wellbeing and prosperity.

Agenda

• 8:30: Doors open, continental breakfast
• 9:00: Welcome
• 9:05: Keynote address: Adrien Cote, Executive Director, Velocity
• 9:10: Panel Discussion and Q&A

             - Moderator: Mike Pereira, Director, David Johnston Research + Technology Park

             - Panelists:

                  ○ Rachel Bartholomew, CEO & Founder, Hyivy Health

                  ○ Armen Bakirtzian, Co-Founder & CEO, Intellijoint Surgical, and Co-Founder, Medical Innovation Xchange (MIX)

                  ○ Nick Anghel, General Manager, ATS Life Science Systems

                  ○ Catharine Gerhard, Market Manager, Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation (WaterlooEDC)

• 9:55: Closing remarks: Jason Field, CEO of Life Sciences Ontario
• 10:00: Networking

Parking

School of Pharmacy Address: 10A Victoria Street South, Kitchener

The School of Pharmacy is conveniently located near several bus routes, the Central Station/Innovation District ION (LRT) stop, and is about a 10 minute walk from the Kitchener GO Train station. Suggested parking options include:

• The City of Kitchener has several lots with hourly meters within a 5 min walking distance. For more information, see the City of Kitchener Parking Map. Lot 3 (28 Water St S) and lot 24 (55 Bramm St) are recommended.
• $5 Pay-and-display parking is available in a UWaterloo-managed lot (valid UW permits are also accepted). The machine only accepts credit cards. Note: this lot is only accessible via Joseph Street.
• DO NOT PARK in the McMaster Centre for Family Medicine lot (entrance off Charles Street). This lot is only for patients of the medical clinic.

SARNIA-LAMBTON - Thursday, September 19th

Sarnia-Lambton Hybrid Chemistry Cluster

Pairing the birthplace of Canada’s petrochemical industry with Ontario’s most abundance supply of agricultural feedstocks, Sarnia-Lambton is Canada’s premier location for the development of, and investment in, clean, green, and sustainable chemistry technologies. The Sarnia-Lambton Hybrid Chemistry Cluster links the regions industrial based across the hybrid chemistry value chain, integrating the traditional hydrocarbon-based economy with the industrial bio, agri-tech, and agricultural economies for the production of high-value products. Through a focus on connecting emerging opportunities for products made from renewable resources – bio-fuels, bio-materials, and renewable chemicals – with existing industry and infrastructure, the area is recognized around the world as a centre for sustainable bio-industrial manufacturing, innovation, and research and development.

Hosted by the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership, the event will showcase how the Sarnia-Lambton Hybrid Chemistry Cluster supports clean and green chemistry opportunities, with a focus on the commercialization hub concept that encourages the development of an idea from research, to incubation, to acceleration and commercialization by introducing the assets and resources associated with Lambton College and the Western Sarnia-Lambton Research Park. It will then highlight two thriving companies– BioLine and LCY – in the agri-tech and industrial biochemicals industries.

Presentation speakers:

• Matthew Slotwinski, CEO, Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
• Dr. Mehdi Sheikhzadeh, Senior Vice President Research & Innovation, Lambton College Research & Innovation
• Dr. Katherine Albion, Executive Director, Western Sarnia-Lambton Research Park
• Dexter Hsu, General Manager, LCY
• Mohammad Rahbari, EVP Innovation & Sustainability, BioLINE Corporation

Agenda

9:00 am – 9:10 am  Welcome by Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership CEO Matthew Slotwinski

9:10 am – 9:20 am Presentation by Lambton College

9:20 am – 9:30 am Presentation by Western Sarnia-Lambton Research Park

9:30 am – 9:40 am Presentation by LCY

9:40 am – 9:50 am Presentation by BioLine

9:50 am – 10:00 am Q& A and Wrap Up

BELLEVILLE - Friday, September 20th

BELLEVILLE - Friday, September 20^th

HEALTH ı INNOVATION ı SUSTAINABILITY

A Snapshot of the Life Sciences Ecosystem surrounding Loyalist College

Loyalist College sits at the heart of a regional life sciences ecosystem characterized by local industry partners who are at the forefront of innovation and contribute to the wellness of our community in diverse and exciting ways. This event will showcase Loyalist’s unique regional ecosystem through a panel discussion and Q&A featuring key players in the 401-corridor life sciences network. Hear representatives from health, biotechnology, medical devices, agriculture, and economic development as they reflect on what life sciences is, and what it means for our region. Network with life sciences industry professionals and experience the synergistic connections that regional colleges and applied research hubs like Loyalist College make happen. We will wrap up the morning with a tour of Donnandale Farms’ state-of-the-art dairy operation and bio-gas system featuring three anaerobic digesters. Small colleges make BIG things happen!

Agenda

Location:  Link-lounge, Loyalist College - 376 Wallbridge-Loyalist Rd Belleville, ON

Parking:  Free on-site parking

8:30-9:00:  Networking Breakfast and Coffee ☕

9:00-9:15:  Welcome and Land Affirmation

9:15-10:00: Panel Discussion and Q&A

• • • • • Alan Flieler, VP General Manager GlobalMed Inc.
        • Dr. Yafan Huang, CEO Performance Plants Inc.
        • Cory Firth, Neuma Centre for Psychedelic Safety and Response
        • Chris King, Quinte Economic Development Commission

10:00-10:15: Case Study for Collaboration, an R&D journey into commercialization – Shamsa Hassan, Founder and CEO Afiya Beauty & Brittany Bachellier, Centre for Natural Products

10:15-10:30: Closing Remarks

11:00-12:30: Tour of Donnandale Farms state-of-the-art dairy operation and bio-gas system comprised of three anaerobic digesters.

Location: 49 Donnan Rd, Stirling, ON